Elaine Ebsen

Elaine Ebsen, age 90, of Brookings, SD, formerly of Milbank, SD, died at her home on July 1, 2021.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 10, at 11:30 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Visitation will be one-hour prior at the funeral home in Milbank. Burial will be held at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

Elaine Annette Nybo was born on November 24, 1930, in Tracy, MN, to Gilbert and Ida (Pletten) Nybo, the youngest of seven children. She married Waldemar (Wally) Nelson at Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN on September 9, 1947.

Elaine and Wally lived in Tracy until 1953. Elaine, Wally, and their family lived in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. They owned and operated an off-set printing firm in Madelia, MN before Elaine began her 21-year career with Milbank Mutual/Royal/State Auto Insurance Companies in Milbank, SD. Wally passed away in 1993. Elaine retired in 1996.

Elaine married Melvin Ebsen at the American Lutheran Church in Milbank on December 27, 1997, and was blessed to become part of the Ebsen family. Elaine and Melvin were members of St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Revillo. She was most recently a member of Living Word Lutheran Church in Milbank. Melvin passed away in 2013. Elaine moved to Brookings, SD, in 2016 to be near her daughters. She lived in her own apartment until her death.

She enjoyed reading mysteries, traveling and attending any events her kids and grandkids participated in. Elaine traveled to England twice, Canada and many states including both coasts and Hawaii. Her family was her biggest pride and joy.

Elaine is survived by her children: Bruce Nelson of Glenwood, MN; Anita Heinz of Brookings, SD; Wesley (Dianne) Nelson of Ankeny, IA; Bill Nelson of South Haven, MN; Jim (Jeanne) Nelson of Altoona, WI; Stacy (Gene) Thompson of Brookings, SD; step-children: Loren (Marsha) Ebsen of Greeley, CO; Merlyn (Colleen) Ebsen of Graceville, MN; Brenda Hyronimus of Worthing, SD; Gary (Chris) Ebsen of Milbank, SD; Debbie (Randy) Jibbens of Milbank, SD; Byron (Joanne) Ebsen of Milbank, SD; 14 grandchildren; 21 step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 24 step-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Wally and Melvin; siblings: Raymond Nybo, Myrtle Collins, Lelyn Nybo, Luverne Nybo, Germaine Buchholz, Cleone Mickelson; daughter-in-law Kaye Nelson; and son-in-law Daryl Crandall.

Memorials are preferred to the National Kidney Foundation or to Brookings Home Health and Hospice.